However, with recent increasing
secularization of culture and government in the developed world influence from
government and cultural entities might pressure Bible-adherent pastors to
conform to modern cultural norms (1-4).
Consequently, maintaining
Biblical principles sets a stage for potential conflict with secular society.
Accordingly, such cultural tensions could produce mental health issues for
pastors in their attempt to maintain their ethical positions. However, little
data has been accumulated from Bible adherent pastors regarding the influence
of any adversarial relationship with culture and government.
Therefore, we surveyed pastors
who graduated from Bible adherent seminaries to assess their perception of
their role in society and the potential psychological impact of any adversarial
attitudes of culture or government against their ministry.
Of 1064 invitations sent, 164 (15
%) answered the survey. Pastors overwhelmingly believed that Christianity
provides a historical and current positive ethical foundation to American
society.
Even more
strongly, pastors asserted Christianity provides for enhanced wellbeing for
society and individuals.
Pastors
appear concerned, however, of a larger government encroaching on freedom of
religious expression. Approximately 75% indicated that constitutional freedoms
were vital to allow full expression of religious beliefs and two-thirds noted
that a larger government more likely represses religious expression and acts as
a replacement of many actions normally provided by the church or a deity (5).
Pastors were
further concerned, by a wide margin, that the government favored other
religions over Christianity (Humanism, Atheism and Islam).
In addition,
many pastors noted concern over their ability to express freely a political
opinion from the pulpit because of current culture, governmental opposition and
IRS regulations.
Approximately,
45% said they had suffered persecution for their beliefs. This perceived
persecution was most commonly psychological through being mocked, social
isolation and a cause of anxiety in some cases. However, a strong minority had
experience workplace or educational institutional bias.
In response,
pastors indicated that they should be able to express a political viewpoint
from the pulpit, that Christians should be active in politics as an expression
of their faith in the public square and support candidates who espouse free
expression of religious beliefs.
Our study
suggested that Bible adherent pastors overwhelmingly believe that
Christianity’s ethical teaching is beneficial for the wellbeing of individuals
and society. However, many pastors feel negative societal and governmental
pressure because of their beliefs with a potential psychological impact.
Accordingly, pastors generally assert the importance of constitutional freedoms
of expression to maintain their ability to express themselves from the pulpit.
Table: Short summary of responses
|
Number
agree
|
Percent
agree
| |
|
Christianity played an important positive role in shaping
American history.
|
151
|
92%
|
|
Christianity helps promote a good, civil, ethical society and
government.
|
157
|
96%
|
|
Christianity assists in producing wellbeing
|
155
|
95%
|
|
Protecting constitutional freedoms is vital to allow the full
expression of religious faith and the Gospel.
|
122
|
74%
|
|
A large government generally leads to repression of religion and
replacement of God by the state?
|
124
|
76%
|
|
Do you believe the federal government favors one religion over
another?
|
118
|
72%
|
|
If you believe the federal government favors one religion, which
does it favor?
| ||
|
Humanism
|
81
|
62%
|
|
Atheism
|
45
|
34%
|
|
Muslim
|
34
|
26%
|
|
I feel repressed in my ability to express a political opinion
from the pulpit because of the current presidential administration or popular culture.
|
55
|
34%
|
|
I feel repressed in my ability to express a political opinion
from the pulpit because of IRS regulations.
|
60
|
37%
|
|
I fear reprisal in expressing the gospel in society.
|
60
|
37%
|
|
I have suffered physical or emotional abuse because of my
Christian faith.
|
72
|
44%
|
|
What type of abuse?
| ||
|
Mocked
|
71
|
95%
|
|
Social isolation
|
41
|
55%
|
|
Workplace or educational
institutional bias
|
30
|
40%
|
Thanks
for visiting. I look forward to your comments and questions.
For the infographic please visit
WC Stewart
http://teleiosblog.blogspot.com/
And now on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch/
1. Chaves M
(2011). Religious Trends in America. Social Work &
Christianity, 38: 119-32.
2. Payne MW
(2007). Philosophy among the ruins: Twentieth century and beyond. In W. Andrew
Hoffecker, ed. Revolutions in worldview: Understanding the flow of western
thought. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing Company. 3. Pearcy N. (2010). Saving Leonardo: A call to resist the secular assault on mind, morals, & meaning. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
4. Wells DF (2005). Above all earthly powers: Christ in a postmodern world. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
5. Bloom PB, Arikan G, Sommer U. (2014). Globalization, threat and religious freedom. Political Studies, 62: 273-91.
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